Ogden York Rite Bodies

Who We Are

The York Rite is a confederation of degree systems consisting of the Royal Arch Chapter, Cryptic Rite Council, and the Commandery of Knights Templar. As practiced in Utah, it is sometimes called the American Rite of Masonry. The name derives from an ancient operative legend that Masonry came to England through the beneficence of Athelstan at York.

Ogden York Right Bodies is home to Ogden Chapter No. 2, Ogden Council No. 3, and El Monte Commandery No. 2. under the jurisdiction of the Utah Grand York Rite of Freemasonry.

Meeting Times and Location:

First Monday of every month

1240 E 20th Street

Ogden, UT 84401

• Petition for the Degrees and Orders of the York Right for Freemasonry

• Petition for affiliation to York Rite.

The Application of Royal Arch Masonry

York Rite Masonry is a book of many Chapters, each Chapter dependent upon those preceding it; the actual life of man and his rewards are the golden threads that run through the entire story. The following lines are written with the hope that they may be of assistance to members of our fraternity in interpreting the Degrees to the young Masons so that they may enter into the real spirit of the ceremonies, grasping their more profound meaning and enjoying the splendid lessons which they teach to the thinking Mason.

The Mark Master Degree

The Mark Master’s Degree is a part of the Fellowcraft’s and is founded on the ancient custom of requiring each workman to place his mark upon his work. It teaches many lessons and is historical as well as philosophical. It teaches that the world demands substantial service, which should measure up to specific standards, pass the squares of certain authorities, and bear our mark if we would take credit for it.

This Degree also teaches service and cooperation and demonstrates that we can often assist a friend when we feel that we can not; even the pass-grip symbolizes assistance and cooperation in getting up the steep places of life with the valuable qualities of character that go into our spiritual building. It also touches upon man’s selfishness in claiming a greater reward than his fellow, overestimating the value of his efforts, and underestimating the other man’s. Still, it shows that merit stands the test when referred to the wise and impartial judge.

A Mark Master is taught charity in the true sense of the word; charitable thinking is often more valuable than money. Common experience teaches us that men are prone to err, and this Degree emphasizes that forgiveness, after suitable punishment, may enable a man to return, regain what he has lost, perfect his life, and bring up good and square work, which is always acceptable.

The Past Master’s Degree

After a Mason has heard the obligation and the ancient charges, rules, and regulations, he gets an insight into Lodge procedure, which he has never had before; he learns the “whys and wherefores” of certain practices. Correctly conferred, the Degree does much toward qualifying a candidate to preside over a Lodge and is a tremendous assistance to one who has had no experience in presiding or parliamentary practice.

It also teaches lessons of a moral and symbolic nature. It demonstrates a correct teaching method, which will drive home a lesson after other methods have failed. It also teaches obedience to the law, something that a Master must always recognize, and it calls attention to the necessity for closely following set rules while striving to master a new vocation, science, or art.

The Most Excellent Master Degree

The Most Excellent Master’s Degree is still another picture of a man in actual life, but it is founded on one of the highlights in history. When we understand this Degree, we find that it has been conferred on us many times and that we have helped confer it on others long before we received it in the Lodge room.

When the student masters the course in school and receives a diploma, it is the Most Excellent Master’s Degree that is conferred upon them. In business, society, or politics, a man may plan his work, follow it to a successful termination, and look back upon it with thanksgiving and praise to those who have helped him and receive the Most Excellent Master’s Degree. When a man marries the person he loves, he receives the Degree, and when these two build their first home, how strikingly they confer it upon themselves; however humble that home may be, however, dim the lights within, a fire comes down from heaven and illuminates the souls of these two who have set the capstone and finished the house.

The Royal Arch Degree

Into the Royal Arch Degree is compressed more information, more food for thought, than any other degree. One of the lessons of this Degree is that the greatest of rewards is due to loyal service, especially service which is rendered at a sacrifice, for that shows the heart of the man; vicarious suffering is worthy of the noblest rewards. No matter whether one’s abilities are great or small, his service is valuable, and his reward should be proportion to his zeal and fidelity rather than according to the high or low plane in which the laborer toils. The reward given is this Degree should be studied from every angle by every Royal Arch Mason, and he should strive to master its whole meaning; he can get an obvious and distinct idea of what Masonry means to him by attempting to fix a value upon the Recovery; his entire idea of Masonry is involved in the value he places upon it.

Why seek further Light in Masonry?

No Rite of Freemasonry covers the world so much as does Royal Arch Masonry. Royal Arch Chapters will be found in every country on the earth, on every continent, and in many isles of the sea, eager and willing to receive their companions from other parts of the world into that full fellowship that characterizes Royal Arch Masonry. In Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and the Continent of Australia will be found hundreds of Royal Arch Chapters into whose halls you will ever be a welcome visitor. In our country, we see upwards of three quarter million members in 3,000 chapters.

Upon your exaltation as a Royal Arch Mason you will become a member of the oldest and largest rite of Freemasonry. What has attracted so many brethren to seek further light in Royal Arch Masonry? In your journey through the three degrees of Symbolic Masonry and as you have learned the proficiency lecture for each Degree, no doubt many questions have arisen concerning the meaning of the ritualistic ceremonies, the historical implications, and the “why” of the legends of Freemasonry.

Many believe the Sublime Degree of Master Mason to be the ultimate Degree of Freemasonry and all others to be added and explanatory. Most students of Freemasonry agree that the story of the Craft as presented in the three degrees is incomplete and that the degrees of the Royal Arch complete the story and answer many of the questions in the mind of the newly made Master Mason.

The Royal Arch Degree was considered most important in the early years of Freemasonry, and so dogmatic was the Mother Grand Lodge from which all Speculative Masonry derives that in 1813 when the two grand lodges in England united, a firm and solemn landmark was adopted and placed in the Articles of Union to guide Masons throughout the world forever on this matter:

Pure Ancient Freemasonry consists of but three degrees, viz., that of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch.

This Landmark has never been changed, and to this day, no other degree has been officially recognized by the Mother Grand Lodge, and every rite, system, or additional Degree of Freemasonry cannot confer its Degree on a Master Mason until he has received the Royal Arch Degree. Naturally, this is as it should be because a man is not a Master Mason until he gets the Master’s Word and he can only receive it in the Royal Arch.